Mr. Bennie Leroy Beckum was born on Thursday, November 2, 1933 son of the late John Henry and Bessie Cook Beckum. Mr. Beckum died Monday, November 8, 2010 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ark., at the age of 77 years and 6 days. Mr. Beckum was born in Etowah, Ark., had lived in Trumann for the past 40 years and was formerly of Payneway, Ark. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and truck patching. Mr. Beckum was a commercial fisherman and of the Christian faith. Mr. Beckum was preceded in death by one son, Phillip Beckum, one sister, two brothers, and his parents. Survivors include his wife Lucille Smith Beckum of 55 years of the home; one son, Michael Beckum of Trumann; three daughters, Becky Stricklin of Lamar, MS, Betty King of Jonesboro, and Melinda Ray of Walnut Ridge, Ark; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Raymond Routon officiating. Burial will follow in Tyronza Cemetery in Tyronza, Ark. Active pallbearers will be Eric Johnston, Tim Ray, Bryan Ray, Jason Ray, Larry King, and Danny Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Spoon, J.C. Holt, Perry Sims, Jason Williams, and Bud King. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. Memorials may be made to Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House 1148 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, Ark. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.